Vivians hoists Lady Rebels to 2A title

JACKSON – Victoria Vivians has no idea where she is on the basketball court when she launches a 3-point shot attempt.
“I don’t know,” she said, then shrugged her shoulders.
Try downtown, Victoria.
Witnesses at the MHSAA Class 2A state tournament championship game Thursday will tell you Scott Central’s shooting star didn’t miss any 3-point bombs in the fourth quarter of her team’s 52-49 comeback win against New Site at the Mississippi Coliseum.
Vivians, her team trailing by 12 points, 39-27, at the end of the third quarter, hit four 3-pointers – three in a row and one from nearly halfcourt – to rally Scott Central.
Playing with four fouls, Vivians scored 19 of her 42 points in the final quarter as Scott Central outscored New Site 25-10.
“She hit some big 3s for them when we let her loose on screens,” a disappointed New Site coach Byron Sparks said. “The shots we didn’t contest, she knocked them down.
“She did it by herself in the fourth quarter.”
Vivians also had some key offensive rebounds in the final quarter after her team missed free throws. She finished with 11 boards.
“I was kind of frustrated,” said Vivians, referring to her play the previous three quarters. “I knew I was going to have to come out shooting for us.
“My shots felt good in the fourth quarter. I knew we had a chance. I knew I was in a zone.”
Vivians scored 43 points in the semifinals against Potts Camp. Scott Central (34-4) had only two other players score points against New Site.
“Victoria’s phenomenal,” Scott Central coach Chad Harrison said. “I hate it for New Site. They’ve got such a good team.”
New Site (31-5), the defending state champion, was led by sophomore 6-footer Grace Elliott with 18 points. Senior guard Christy Clark closed out her career with 11 points.
The Lady Royals led 16-9 at the end of one and had a 28-20 halftime lead.
A low-scoring third quarter ended on a positive note for New Site when Shelby Stricklen hit a 3-pointer from the wing to give her team a 39-27 lead.
“I thought we played well defensively … for three quarters,” Sparks said.
gene.phelps@journalinc.com